In a significant boost to global health efforts, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have signed a new agreement with a €5.25 million contribution to support critical WHO initiatives. The funding underscores Spain’s deepening commitment to global health and its strengthened collaboration with the world’s leading public health agency.

“Spain has long been a close and steadfast partner to WHO and global health,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “We thank Spain for its increased flexible funding of our work, in doing so helping WHO be stronger and more independent and allowing us to deliver the services that countries and communities need from us.”

This renewed partnership comes at a pivotal moment. In 2025, Spain rejoined the WHO Executive Board after nearly two decades, marking a new chapter in its global health engagement. The move aligns with Spain’s newly launched Global Health Strategy, unveiled on 27 May 2025, which outlines a comprehensive vision for advancing health equity and sustainable development on the international stage.

The agreement signed today reflects a broader €60 million pledge made by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in November 2024. Administered through AECID under the leadership of Mr. Antón Leis, the contribution signals Spain’s intent to become a key strategic partner in global health. In addition to supporting WHO’s core activities, the multi-year funding package will also aid health programmes in vulnerable regions such as Jordan, Mali, and Sudan.

Spain’s growing involvement in global health is set to reach another milestone as it prepares to host the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) in Seville from 30 June to 3 July 2025. The event will include a high-level session co-sponsored by WHO, titled “Health financing for a safe and sustainable economy: towards Seville health financing agenda for action.” The gathering aims to bring together leaders from health, finance, and academia to explore innovative approaches to financing resilient health systems.

With this latest agreement, Spain reinforces its position as a critical supporter of multilateral health initiatives, while WHO gains both strategic flexibility and vital resources to advance its mission of building a healthier, more equitable world.